This incredible speed would make cockroaches amazing as wings or perhaps even a centre. Their pace would make it easy for them to outrun any opponent on the pitch and score a try.

They are resilient

Cockroaches are pretty tough creatures, it’s one of the reasons why they are such a successful pest.

Although the idea that they can withstand a nuclear blast is just a myth, it doesn’t mean that these crawling insects aren’t resilient.

Due to their exoskeletons, cockroaches are able to withstand incredible forces. Studies have shown that their exoskeletons allow them to withstand forces of up to nearly 900 times their own body weight without injury.

This impressive strength would make cockroaches a great addition to any rugby team, perhaps as a prop in a scrum, as these guys are able to take a beating.

They are flexible

Well to some extent.

Now I’m not saying they are as flexible as an olympic gymnast, but they are pretty flexible.

Just like their resilience, their flexibility comes from their exoskeletons. It allows them to fit through gaps and crevices as small as a quarter of their size! Â Whatâ€™s even more impressive is that they can still run at top speeds whilst in a compressed form.

This flexibility would definitely come in handy dodging tackles in a rugby game, perhaps as a centre.

They are opportunists

Well, they will find any way to get into your home or business, whether it be through navigating sewers to gain access through pipework or fitting through the tiniest of gaps.

This determination and awareness would definitely come in handy during a rugby match as a fly half maybe, allowing them to seek out the best opportunities to gain/ keep possession of the ball and score a try.

They have the right diet

It’s no secret that professional rugby players follow a strict diet to make sure they are fit and healthy for their next match.

It may surprise you that cockroaches also have the same diet as rugby players’ well, to some extent.

Cockroaches take the word omnivorous to the extreme as they will eat absolutely anything, and I mean anything.

So the high protein and quality carbohydrate filled diet of professional rugby players is no problem for cockroaches, but they will also eat everything else such as glue, faeces, and even other cockroaches!

They won’t drop the ball

Well it does depend on the species’

You probably think I’m daft right now, but hear me out. Female cockroaches produce egg cases known as oothecae. These contain many eggs and are enveloped by a protein based substance which hardens into a protective casing. Depending on the species, the female cockroach will either drop the egg case or carry it until the eggs are ready to be hatched.

Because of this it is possible, depending on the species, that cockroaches wouldn’t drop the ball and give away possession, just so long as they can keep it in their oothecae. And I don’t see anything in the Rugby Union rules which says that you can’t carry the ball in a hard protein based casing on your back.

Are there any other positions in a rugby team you think would suit a cockroach? Send us a tweet to @Rentokil

If you are looking for assistance in dealing with cockroaches in your home or business, get in contact with Rentokil today!

Jack Lyons

I joined the Marketing and Innovation team at Rentokil in 2015, and my mind has quickly become accustomed to the weird and wonderful world of pests. Outside of work my main hobby is music, being a huge fan of bands such as Queen and Led Zeppelin as well as being an avid drummer.

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